Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 31-7-2020: Rum, Sodomy and the Lash

31st July, 2020.

Yes, Rollason Way had … an adventure … !

Rampaging aliens swept down the street, destroying cars, making mad, passionate, lingering love to innocent cats, and general causing havoc.

Whilst the Inquisition leapt out on people, interrogating them about their sofas, and vikings raided freezers.

On a more serious note?

We had a power cut.

Which didn’t last long, but, still … inconvenient … !

~≈†≈~

What didn’t help, from point of view?   Was being unable to phone UK Power Networks, who makes sure the power network doesn’t fall over.

Yes: O2’s STILL not providing us with a signal … as, according to the email they sent me last night, the tower’s been decommissioned … 

And won’t be back in operation until October.

Personally?

I’m disgusted.

And, frankly, grateful that the local press were interested enough to want to talk to me.

Lord knows when that story will run, if or when it will.

But I’d love to read it … 

~≈†≈~

The fact my dental appointment’s been moved to 11:40 … ?

Is a relatively minor point …

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-7-2020: International Tiger Day

29th July, 2020.

Yes: it’s officially official … 

Stuff’s happening.

But that’s always the way, isn’t it?

I do know I went into town, yesterday: to follow up on the O2 situation.

And, at least, managed to talk an escalation manager.

Who’s advised that there’s not much they can do until the 31st — Friday, in other words* — when the system is due to be updated.

Frankly?   130 Kings Road’s still being gutted, the two extra floors haven’t even started, there’s no sign of anything resembling a phone mast … so I’m assuming we’re going to get a pigs dinner of a weekend.

~≈†≈~

On other fronts … ?

I don’t know what happened, there … 

But we’ve just had a power cut: a very short one.

Why?

I don’t know, I know it’s hit the people in Railway Square, around the corner from me.

Frankly, I’m hoping it’s a brief glitch, somewhere.

I’d hate to think it’s deliberate … !

~≈†≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 28-7-2020: World Hepatitis Day

28th July, 2020.

Right … things are both happening … and not happening.

I’ve had the scan.

And, as nerve-racking as waiting for the results are, I’m now waiting for the results.

Last year?   I was clear of any nasties: I’m hoping this year will be the same.

Although one never knows until the results are in.

Giving that — potentially — a bad results means a case of lung cancer?

You can possibly appreciate that — even given I’m mildly agnostic, to say the least — I’m quietly praying … 

~≈¥≈~

In other news … ?

I’ve been in tough with the dentist: which is nice.

Apparently?   I have to wash my mouth out with salt water: THEN get back to them on earth, if my tooth hasn’t stopped wobbling.

~≈¥≈~

O2 … 

Oh, dear, O2 … 

They did manage to phone me: when I was on the bus coming back from Basildon.

They DID talk me through a basic solution, that ‘should help’: changing the default network from 4g to 3g: then to 2g, if that didn’t work.

Oh, and usually restarting, as well.

It didn’t work: I tried it when I got in.

I have managed to do some digging about.

The phone mast was on the roof of 130, Kings Road.

This building.

130, Kings Road.

Opposite the Premier Inn, do you know.

I’ve done some digging.

It seems the reason the mast got taken down, is so the workmen working on the building can do they job.

According to this set of plans, with Brentwood Council?

So that the building can have two extra stories added to the thing.

Seemingly, they’re going to be flats.

How long that’s going to take?   The plans don’t say.

But … ?

I honestly think the mast will go back up, once the flats get finished.

We — O2’s paying customers — won’t get a signal until then.

~≈¥≈~

Nik Nak’s Daily Teaser — 6th December, 2018.

6th December, 2018.

Right, it’s definitely Thursday, today!

I’ve just double checked: and I’m decidedly not getting my days mixed up.

So that’s all good!

At any rate, I’ve woken up, this morning, switched on my TV: and immediately changed channels to Radio 4’s Today programme.

But managed to catch a pice on the BBC’s News 24 channel.

Apparently?

The O2 mobile phone network is having issues.

Seemingly?   And at the moment?

You can only access the mobile ’net … if you’ve hooked you’re phone up to a wi-fi router.

As an O2 punter with a shiny new smart phone he want’s to play with?

You can bet I’m a little put out … !

~≈§≈~

On another, and still personal, front?

As you’re possibly aware, I’m job hunting, at the moment.

Something that’s cropped up a few times?

Is simply this: some jobs will ask you for ID.

Photographic ID: a birth certificate, and a recent pay slip, aren’t enough.

As, usually, and very specifically, either a passport or a recent provisional/full driver’s license are the only ones acceptable.

I’ve neither.

It’s lost me a couple of possible interviews.

I have managed to chase the issue up, though, at my regular job centre meeting.

It seems I can apply for a provisional drivers license… and the Job Centre will cover the cost, as it’s deemed helpful to getting a job!

At the moment?

I’m grateful!

~≈§≈~

I mentioned, a few days ago, that many Western countries were making a point of not using Huawei products in their telecommunications networks: New Zealand being the most recent.

One item I noticed, today?

Was that BT have decided — because of those security concerns — to not use Huawei kit in their 5g infrastructure.

And to try and remove it from other parts of their system.

All to the good, I think.

Except … ?

I’m wondering what our government’s doing or thinking on this front.

Well … apart from worrying about Brexit!

~≈§≈~

O2's Bad Signal: In The High Street

Hmmm …

You know, I HATE to admit it …

But I’m currently using a Windoze machine, at Brentwood Library.

Not that I want to, in particular: but as I’m in Brentwood High Street, anyway, doing some like shopping … ?

And having just spoken to O2’s Customer services people ... ?

I thought I’d let know know what’s happened as a result of the brief chat I just had.

Obviously, you're probably aware that my signal reception — on my O2 mobile handset — is fairly bad, at the mo.

As a result of a dodgy phone mast in my part of town.

Well, I thought that — while I was in town, and getting reception — I’d give the customer Services people a call, to see what was happening.

After all, they had been good enough to give me a free pounds worth of airtime to do so.

I got explaining the situation to the rep that answered my call — rather pleasant chap with a Lancashire accent, called Jamie — who immediately checked out what was happening for me.

Now, as far as I'm concerned, Jamie ... ?

Was very understanding about the issue, and immediately managed to work out where I was talking about from my postcode.

But had bad news.

The engineers knew about the problem with the mast.

Had even reported about it.

But had not reported on any deadline they had for fixing the thing.

OR for when they expected to have it fixed.

Now, I don’t know about you ... But I can’t be the only O2 customer in the area who’s having problems with this: I do know I've lost out - potentially - on a job because of it.

I know I’m mildly annoyed about that.

I don’t know how O2 feel about it, though.

I do know that the sooner it’s fixed, the happier I’ll be ... !

O2’s Bad Signal: Hmmmm …

You know, I’ve GOT to admit, I’ve had an EMAIL … !

Well …

You’d be surprised if I didn’t.

Well, you would.

And … ?

Funnily enough, it’s one from O2: after I’d sent them an email about the bad signal in my area.

Just so you know … ?

There’s a bad phone mast in the area.

Which explains the lack of signal … !

But …

Well, here’s the email they sent me.

Hello Paul

I'm sorry you're having coverage problems.

We have a coverage fault in the postcode CM14. Our engineers are looking

into this at high priority. You'll be able to use the services as soon

as the fault is rectified.

For more updates in this matter, call us on 4445 (charged at 25p per

call) or 0844 809 0222 (5p a minute) from a BT fixed line They will

transfer your call to the network support team.

We're open:

- Weekdays between 8am and 9pm

- Saturday 8am and 8pm.

- Sunday 8am and 6pm.

If there's anything else I can help you with just let me know.

Regards

Runa

O2 Customer Service

Now, I’m sure you’ve noticed the flaw in their suggestions, there, haven’t you … ?

25p a minute to use a landline to contact them? On my income, that’s NOT good!

Or 5p a minute … on a phone that CAN’T connect to their network on a guaranteed regular basis …

Because an O2 phone mast has gone down … !

Gosh, I HOPE that mast gets fixed soon.

SOMEBODY’S going to get a rocket … !

O2’s Bad Signal

Hmmmm …

Can I make a confession, here … ?

I’ve got a mobile phone.

Which shouldn’t be that surprising, when you think about it: so does most of Britain.

And, like many, I’m on O2.

Who — usually — have quite good coverage.

Please note I say usually … !

Because JUST recently … ?

JUST recently, the signal’s been a bit …

Well …

I won’t use the word I am thinking: but I think the American term ‘DIAPERS’ will give you an idea … !

At any rate … ?

At any rate, it’s safe to say that O2’s signal’s NOT been good, during the past 4 weeks or so.

Going by this part of their site, there’s a problem with one of the masts in the area.

One that’s NOT been fixed for a while.

Here’s hoping it’s not much longer … !